Q Planes [DVD]

Made in 1939, when the storm of war was about to burst over our heads, this Boy's-Own adventure story is made and acted with real brio. The story, briefly - Major Hammond, of the S.I.S. ( Ralph Richardson, playing - as another reviewer has pointed out - a sort of prototype John Steed) is convinced that top-secret aircraft the world over are being brought down and their secret apparatus stolen by an un-named foreign power (obviously Germany, though this is never explicitly stated). The latest disappearance is of a British aircraft equipped with a new supercharger. The boss of the aircraft company, an obstinate northerner straight out of the pages of an Arnold Bennett novel, refuses to believe this espionage tale, but his top test-pilot (Tony McVane, played by Laurence Olivier) does, and he and Hammond conspire to unmask the spy working for the company, solve the mystery of the disappearances, and save the world from everything (remember, the war had yet to start). There is excellent support from Valerie Hobson (playing McVane's love interest) and George Curzon (playing the spy). The film is beautifully made, with excellent photography and, for anoraks such as myself, film of several interesting aeroplanes - Tiger and Gypsy Moths and, above all, the lovely Airspeed Envoy, surely one of the most beautiful aircraft ever to take to the air, and shown here in all its glory, both on the ground and in the air. A short film of less than 90 minutes duration, this is a light-hearted and enjoyable romp that only the most stony-hearted could fail to enjoy.

Superb storyline of a dastardly ray machine deployed at sea, magnificent stereotypes of outrage and disorganised incisiveness - and all in black and white with a superb cast. Sit back and suspend your disbelief !!

Did not answer email about loose disc in case and broken fixing in case broken. mot sure if disc is new

I first saw Q PLANES about 40 years ago on television here in America under its US title of CLOUDS OVER EUROPE, and was delighted by it. The current DVD, while not earth-shattering in its clarity -- and seriously lacking in some audio presence -- is a pretty fair representation of the movie, given its age. As to the film itself, Ralph Richardson is the spark-plug as an eccentric, droll-witted intelligence agent investigating a series of disappearances of experimental aircraft (which, as it turns out, have occurred not only in the British isles but elsewhere around the world). His presence throughout the various corners of the action, brushing up with sparks against his own journalist sister (Valerie Hobson) and more genially against brooding macho test pilot Tony McVane (Laurence Olivier), as well as impatient industrialists, duplicitous corporate stooges, and the evildoers themselves, drives the whole movie as though it were a precursor to The Avengers TV series (which it was). The mystery, laced by equal measures of comedy, romantic by-play, and suspense, is in the mode of Alfred Hitchcock, but also anticipates by several decades the plot of the James Bond movie YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, albeit on a smaller scale and a fraction of the budget. There aren't many extras on the disc -- this is a low-frills if not no-frills release -- but that this late date that's hardly surprising. The time to have done something special would have been when the key participants were still alive, but in those days this movie wasn't considered all that special. It is still a LOT of fun!

Not quite as good as expected - but that is the film (Not Ralph Richardson's greatest film) not the service.

I think I saw Q PLANES back in the 80s, at a British film series in Seattle. Fell in love with it immediately -- the dialogue, the "Boy's Own Story" nature of the enemy's secret weapon, and watching Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier play off one another. Pure fun! Really have to hand it to Network -- the remaster of the film is better than any I've ever seen before, by an order of magnitude. Video is clear and crisp, with the kind of contrast that makes it visually snap. It reminds me of the kind of restoration work you see in the best Criterion classic film DVDs and Blu Rays. Delighted to see this kind of treatment done to a film that is (unjustly) as little known as Q PLANES. Kudos to the folks at Network for providing it!

Good little film this, in a stiff upper lip sort of way. Dated obviously, and with a plot you can see a mile off its still watchable. I liked it.

A somewhat complex and extremely enjoyable mystery over who is stealing the advanced prototype aircraft all over the world. It derives from the premise that resulted in RDF/Radar, that of a beam which could stop engines in flight. A salvage ship of an un-named but Teutonic sounding power is conveniently present at each test site where an aircraft is lost, and it is up to Major Charles Hammond (Ralph Richardson) of the Air Ministry to discover the reason, he is assisted in this endeavour by Olivier as Tony McVane and alternately helped and hindered by his (Hammond's) sister Kay Lawrence played by Valerie Hobson. Complete with a shoot-out on the salvage ship, all is eventually well and consistently funny. Directed by an American, Tim Whelan, and co-written by Jack Whittingham author of a couple of later James Bond scripts. Reputedly dialogue between the principals is full of ad-libs and improvisation. Try to keep track of Major Hammond's umbrella, and his girlfriend. Rob Boyter

Excellent DVD! Thanks goes out to the seller!

Good product, prompt delivery.

Made before the British subjects were disarmed by their government. My only disappointment is the fact that disc was not burned on M-DISC. Instead they use the old-fashioned DVD-R. You will see a certain amount of gun-play in this movie. This often surprises some viewers. Remember, British citizens could own handguns in 1939. I started watching this on Amazon instant video but was unhappy with the quality. The DVD looks much better and the sound is better also. I saw some similarities in the main character of this movie with James Bond! In fact, I heard several phrases that reminded me of James Bond movies. Very entertaining and done in a light manner. Glad to have this terrific film in my DVD/Blu-ray collection.

The Q Planes is a very interesting and enjoyable move to watch. I highly recommend it for mystery fans and aviation buffs.

Great story and fun to watch! It's 1939. You have British secret agents and evil Nazis. The story was done with wit and panache. What's not to like. Rumor is that Patrick Macnee based John Steed on the Maj. Charles Hammond character played by Ralph Richardson (The "Sir" came later.) If you've ever watched "The Avengers" TV series, not the Marvel crew, then you can see the rumor has foundation. This is a fun, nostalgic, rainy (or snowy) day movie best served with lots of popcorn